Quorge stood, his commanding presence filling the room. His black cloak swayed as he rose to his full height, his golden eyes scanning the group with a piercing intensity.

“first things first,” he began, his deep voice carrying a weight that made everyone, including Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon, stand a little straighter. “I am Quorge, Chief of Foreign Connections and Law for the Kingdom of Sprits.”

He gestured to his left, where a tall sprit with soft white fur and serene gray eyes stood.

“This is Sartah,” he continued, “our Environmental Chief. She oversees the well-being of our natural domains and the harmony between our people and the land.” Sartah inclined her head with a gentle smile, her presence exuding calm and care.

Quorge then turned to his right, where a sprit with pitch-black fur and gleaming golden eyes leaned back in his seat, his gaze sharp and calculating. “And this is Isah, our Anomaly Chief. He is responsible for managing and investigating the anomalies that touch our lands.”

Isah’s golden eyes flicked over the group, lingering on Si-Woo for a moment before he gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

“These three seats represent the rulers of the Kingdom of Sprits,” Quorge explained. “We govern our people, ensuring their safety and prosperity while navigating the challenges of our time.”

Then, with a sweep of his hand, Quorge gestured to the three other seated figures, their fur graying and their forms slightly stooped but their eyes sharp with wisdom. Each wore a ceremonial cloak, their colors muted with age.

“And these,” Quorge said, his tone shifting to one of reverence, “are the Elders—our former rulers. They have dedicated their lives to the growth of this kingdom and continue to serve as advisors to us and to the generations yet to come.”

Oapa stepped forward, his normally casual demeanor replaced with solemn respect. Bowing deeply, he addressed each of the elders in turn, murmuring their titles with quiet reverence.

“Sartah’s guidance has always been invaluable,” Oapa said softly, then moved to Isah. “And the anomaly chief continues to be our most vigilant guardian.”

When he reached the elders, his voice took on a familial warmth. “Elder Valun,” he said to a sprit with silvery fur and amber eyes, “your wisdom has always been my compass.” Turning to the next elder, a female sprit with soft, dusky brown fur, he added, “Aunt Mira, your strength of heart has always been unmatched.”

Finally, he addressed the last elder, a stern-looking male sprit with jet-black fur and piercing green eyes. “Uncle Rehan,” Oapa said, bowing low, “you taught me to always seek the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.”

The elders nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions ranging from pride to quiet amusement.

Quorge allowed a moment of silence before he spoke again. “Now that introductions are complete, we can proceed. But first,” his gaze fell on Si-Woo,Ha-Yoon, and Mai “I would like to hear from our guests. Its nice to see you two again, but Tell me, what do you make of the Kingdom of Sprits so far?”

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Si-Woo glanced at Ha-Yoon, who gave him an encouraging look. Taking a small step forward, he cleared his throat. “It’s... unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” he admitted. “The connection you have with the land, the way everything seems to be alive—it’s amazing.”

Ha-Yoon nodded, her voice steadier than her brother’s. “And the unity among your people—it’s inspiring. Thank you for allowing us to visit.”

Mai stepped forward, her voice confident yet respectful. “If I may, Chief Quorge,” she began, her gaze steady as she addressed him. “The Kingdom of Sprits is fascinating this kingdom—it feels like a living entity. The structures are interwoven with nature your people move in harmony with the land... it’s a beautiful balance that many could learn from.”

Quorge’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Your impressions speak well of you,” he said. “Let us hope this meeting proves fruitful for all involved.”

As the group adjusted to the grandeur of the room, the small sprit children had taken to exploring their new guests with unrestrained curiosity. They soon gravitated toward Ha-Yoon’s bonds, their giggles filling the air as they darted around the spade wolves and even tried to get close to the elusive warping teharite. Ha-Yoon’s bonds handled the attention with surprising patience, the wolves wagging their tails playfully while the teharite shimmered in and out of visibility, sparking laughter and gasps of amazement from the children.

Sartah observed the scene with a warm smile before turning her attention to Oapa and Lirin. “It’s been some time since I’ve seen either of you,” she said gently. “How are things at the academy?”

Oapa inclined his head respectfully. “Busy, as expected,” he replied. “Between student council responsibilities and keeping up with coursework, it’s been a lot to manage.”

Lirin crossed her arms, her tone more casual. “He’s being modest. He’s handling it better than anyone else could, though he’s still figuring out how to dodge the politics of the council.” She gave him a teasing smirk.

Sartah chuckled softly. “That doesn’t surprise me. And you, Lirin? How are you adjusting to your advancement?”

Lirin shrugged, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “It’s been fine. The classes are tougher, but they’re more interesting too. Bestiary studies especially—it’s fascinating.”

“I would expect nothing less from you,” Sartah said, her gaze filled with pride.

Meanwhile, one of the elders, Valun, leaned forward slightly, his amber eyes narrowing as he addressed Quorge. “These two,” he said, motioning to Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon, “are they the so-called prodigy twins we’ve been hearing about?”

Quorge nodded. “They are,” he replied, his tone even.

A murmur rippled through the remaining elders.

“Remarkable,” said Mira, her dusky fur catching the light as she studied the siblings. “They look so young. It’s difficult to imagine such accomplishments at their age.”

“Potential is one thing,” Rehan said, his voice gruff. “Whether they can fulfill it is another matter entirely.”

“They’ve already achieved what many twice their age could not,” Mira countered, her tone sharp but respectful.

Sartah interjected, her voice calm but firm. “Let us not make judgments so quickly. They are here as our guests, and their path is still unfolding. Time will reveal their true capabilities.”

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon stood quietly, feeling the weight of the elders’ words. Si-Woo clenched his fists slightly, determined to prove himself, while Ha-Yoon’s gaze flickered toward her bonds, who seemed unbothered by the serious conversation, still delighting the children.

Quorge raised a hand, silencing the discussion. “Enough,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “The twins are here to learn and to understand. Let us give them the respect they are due.”

The elders nodded, though Rehan’s skeptical gaze lingered on Si-Woo for a moment longer before he leaned back in his chair.

With the conversation shifting back to lighter topics, Sartah turned her attention once more to Oapa. “You should visit more often,” she said. “The children always look forward to seeing you.”

Oapa offered a rare, genuine smile. “I’ll try,” he said. “But...the academy keeps me tied up more than I’d like.”